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RIAA and MPAA take lawsuits to Internet2

Since their litigation strategy is by all accounts a resounding success, the …

While Internet2 (I2) might have a rather pedestrian name (it could have at least been raised to a power), the next generation testing ground for a global information network is impressive. The I2 network of high-speed nodes uses fiber to connect its backbone of GigaPoPs (gigabit points-of-presence) across the United States, supporting speeds of up to 10Gbps. Such copious bandwidth makes the dream of advanced academic research and collaboration a reality today, or you could download Sin City in about a minute.

Although not publicly accessible, I2 is available to students through more than 200 universities that are a part of the consortium developing new Internet technologies. One of those new technologies, unsurprisingly developed by students, is i2Hub. The "groundbreaking, peer-to-peer (P2P) solution proven effective for online collaboration between students" has apparently proven too effective in the minds of some. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced today the filing of lawsuits against 405 students at 18 colleges for copyright infringement.

"This next generation of the Internet is an extraordinarily exciting tool for researchers, technologists and many others with valuable legitimate uses," said Cary Sherman, President, RIAA. "Yet, we cannot let this high-speed network become a zone of lawlessness where the normal rules don't apply."

Like RIAA, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is also taking legal action against students. Dan Glickman, president and chief executive office of the MPAA, expressed similarly hyperbolic rhetoric. "Our message is simple: that illegal downloading of digital movies is wrong, and we will not stand by while Internet thieves steal millions of dollars in copyrighted materials. You can click, but you cannot hide."

Although the current legal action is directed only at students, the makers of i2Hub have not been ignored by industry groups, coming under pressure to "police" the service. Wayne Chang, chief executive of i2Hub, denies that i2Hub has anything to do with copyright infringement. "I2hub does not host any files centrally, nor does it have any indexes of files on the network. We are similar to AOL's Instant Messenger, IRC (Internet Relay Chat) or even a hybrid of both. There is no reason to target us specifically."

Well, sure there is. If the content creators can bully come to agreements with universities to provide legal entertainment services and crackdown on illegal, or "lawless" ones, it's all to the good for the bottom line. Whether or not i2Hub is targeted for legal action will likely depend on the P2P case now before the Supreme Court. Should the oligarchs ultimately fail with their current legal strategy of suing consumers and software developers, don't be surprised to see an attempt made at influencing the nascent development of I2 itself. After all, if the consumers control the means of distribution, where does that leave Big Content?